They Recreated A World War One Battle After 100 Years Which Made A National Hero Out Of German Commander Paul Von Hindenburg

This battle saw Germany inflict critical defeat on Tsarist Russian invasion force almost 100 years ago, and today, some history enthusiasts gathered together on a hilly area in Poland for its reconstruction. The reenactment was held on the site of the original battle, which in 1914 was in eastern Prussia, but which now lies in Szkotowo, northern Poland.

1. Historic:

Members of a military club participate in the reenactment of The Battle of Tannenberg on the battlefield at Szkotowo in northern Poland

2. Fighting:

Actors dressed as German and Russian soldiers take part in the reenactment ahead of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War

3. Engagement:

The battle was fought by the Russian Second Army against the German Eighth Army between August 26 and 30, 1914

4. Location:

The reenactment was held on the site of the original battle, which in 1914 was in eastern Prussia, but which now lies in Szkotowo, Poland

5. Hats off:

The reenactment took place just one day before the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, although the original battle took place in August 1914

6. Problem:

The lack of effective communication between the two Russian armies – separated by the Masurian Lakes – greatly contributed to their downfall

7. Surrender:

History enthusiasts from across Europe gathered in northern Poland to reconstruct the Battle of Tannenberg

8. Tactics:

The Germans intercepted wireless messages from both Samsonov and Rennenkampf, and surprised the former’s army with a strong attack

9. Riding:

Samsonov lost half of his army during the first few days of the conflict and shot himself on August 30. By the end the Germans had taken 92,000 prisoners

10. Numbers:

The Russians had had more than 50,000 killed, while the Germans only suffered a total of 13,000 casualties.

11. Dressed up:

Actors dressed as Russian soldiers perform an attack, as another actor dressed as an orthodox priest, left, prays, during the reenactment

12. Important moment:

Tannenberg was a significant defeat for the Russians, who had lost almost an entire army along with 400 guns and other weapons

13. Helping hand:

The battle made a national hero out of German commander Paul von Hindenburg, after his forces crushingly overcame the Russians

14. Onwards:

Russian soldiers charge at Tannenberg, during a First World War battle that they would eventually lose

15. Over the top:

A memorial was later constructed on the site to honour the German soldiers who died during the 1914 battle. Here, Cossacks are pictured on the attack

16. Looking out:

German commanders Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff launched a huge attack against Samsonov’s isolated army

17. Archive photograph:

Russian soldiers drop their weapons and surrender at the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914

18. Following the fighting:

German General Hermann von Francois surveys the destruction on the scene of the Battle of Tannenberg

19. Destruction:

Buildings lay in ruins following fighting during the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914

20. Loot after the battle:

The Second Russian army was beaten destructively by the Eighth German Army under Hindenburg

21. Directions:

This map shows what happened up to and including the battle, with Rennenkampf’s army defeating the Germans at Gumbinnen on August 20

22. Mapped out:

The Battle of Tannenberg happened on ground in what is now the village of Szkotowo in northern Poland